Share books about topics related to fall to introduce children to the autumn season. Select colorful picture books that have easy-to-read, lively words and energetic phrases to capture preschoolers' attention. Some age-appropriate books for preschoolers are "When Autumn Comes" by Robert Maass and "I Know It's Autumn" by Eileen Spinelli and Nancy Hayashi. Read the books aloud to children during circle time. Afterward, discuss signs of autumn with preschoolers.
Take preschoolers on a nature walk in the fall. Observe and collect leaves, pine cones, acorns, twigs and dried flowers. Return to the classroom and lay all of the items on a craft or sensory table. Allow the children to observe, touch and smell the items. Record observations for each item on a chart. Write the name of the nature item along with the children's descriptions of the color, texture and smells of each item.
Provide preschoolers with the opportunity for spontaneity in materials usage through art activities using autumn leaves. Preschoolers can create leaf designs using soft autumn leaves, art paper and wax crayons. Tape the leaves on to a piece of paper or on to a table covered with butcher paper. Cover the leaves with a piece of art paper. Provide crayons in fall colors: green, yellow, orange and red. Show children how to rub the crayons over the paper to create an impression of the leaf on the paper.
Provide the opportunity for preschoolers to practice gross motor skills like hopping and leaping by letting them jump in autumn leaves. Find and collect dried, colorful fall leaves and fill a kiddie pool with the leaves. Encourage children to jump in the leaves. Additionally, scatter the leaves around the activity area, provide rakes and brooms, and encourage children to take turns raking and sweeping the leaves into piles.